My bearing caps were also missing. Rapido replaced them. I wasn't super happy with this model either. For Rapido it should of been top notch. Good review.

Considering the price is 335 for a DCC one, I think you’re fully justified for being harsh on it

As usual, an outstanding review. This model was on my "nice to have, but do I really need it?" list. Thanks for saving me $225. Your videos are priceless.

Rapido appears to have lost its way. Perhaps they have grown too quickly and are trying to do too much with too little. Reputations take time and effort to build, and they can be lost very quickly. Thank you for this highly detailed review. Rapido may complain, but you are doing them a favor.

Good review,I hope Jason see's this and takes care to repair the mistakes!!.

I was just about to order one from ModelTrainStuff. Thank goodness I watched this review first. Excellent job reviewing this model. Thanks for the honesty.

Rapido should have adressed these issues. Considering the prices I think a c- overhaul score is too high.

0:42 “Some of rapidos “attempts” at humor” 😂😂

Great with this thorough assessment of this engine. And I was planning on picking one up this Friday and do a quick review on it, but thanks for the heads up! I know not every model Rapido comes out with will not be perfect, nor top notch, but I hope that they see this as a teachable moment in quality; especially with that high price tag! All this time I've been waiting over a year now for them Metro North Commuter Railroad Comet commuter cars, with the waiting and price, when I do my review on them, they best be accurate and of top quality! After this review if they are watching, going forward, I expect nothing less!!!!! Great review Dan!

Thank you for such a thorough review.

I really like your reviews. I un-subbed last year thinking I was getting away from HO, but am getting pulled in again. I loved SP as a kid and probably saw these SW1200 locos hundreds of times growing up in the old T&NO area. I nearly bought this Rapido and am grateful I didn't after watching your review. Thanks for being so thorough! Re-subbed! 🙂

Thanks for your in depth review 👍

Thank you for your 2 cents ! Good points were made in your review . Thumbs up 10 out 10 review

I had similar issues with my unit. I used the loksound programmer to set up the brakes.

Very detailed reviews! I enjoy watching them, however I do not use dcc locomotives, but I would like to see you run some of these in your videos and note how they roll and how they can handle curves

Excellent review. Thank you.

Thank you for not pulling any punches on your reviews. That's a lot of money for a model with detail and decoder issues. I also noticed the front stack seemed to be leaning slightly toward the cab. I feel Athearn would have done a much better job if they modeled this locomotive.

thanks dan for the great review perhaps I'll reconsider getting one from rapido.

I agree with you, Dan. At that price, the model should be an A, or A+ quality. I think you were more than fair.

Great review Dan just in time as I was going to order one but have now decided not just due to it costing more with the exchange rate from nz

Considering Rapido had the same F10 problem on the RS11 you'd think they'd get that fixed!

It took me some time to find your videos, but here I am. Nice review! Hope you can make a review from German locos (Roco, Brawa, Trix) as those are really nice machines

Nice update today .Enjoyed it thanks

Sweet! I did an unofficial one but your is WAY better bro!! Great job and the price is great vs. Brass

Once again Dan thanks for your review hats off to you it’s really sad that rapido is making these mistakes but I love the humor in there Advertisements but yeah they shouldn’t be shipping the switches with that many problemsThanks again

Very nice and honest review. I like that you are hard in your reviews, this way I can pick and choose which details/flaws are for me. I almost bought this model, I don’t think I will now. And to think that Rapido have an Espee modeler in their ranks....mmmm

Dan a review is supposed to let us the other modelers aware of locomotives that we save to buy and if they are flawed we should know about those issues, so be harsh if other models don't appreciate that, well sucks to be them. Thank you for your honesty.

At this price point, I think the level of review given is completely appropriate. The thickness of the coupler lift bar stuck out to me as soon as you pulled it out of the box. Yikes! I like Rapido as a company. But maybe less horsing around, and more attention to detail would be beneficial. Thanks!

At the price point this is marketed as, I expect a lot as well. I agree with your judgment completely!

Although I admire what Rapido Trains tries to do, I admire your honesty.

Your reviews are objective and refreshing. You are also more than generous as it is quite apparent you could have taken off even more points than you did. I love Rapido, but they still have a long way to go when it comes to quality control. Unacceptable given how much their products cost.

This was on my "wish" list of switchers but not anymore. In addition to the flaws Dan pointed out in the review, I also have some problems with fit and finish on certain details. The stacks, primarily the lead stack is tilted back instead of being straight and SP light packages, primarily the lead seem to be tilted which could cause the light rays to point more downward rather than straight ahead. Mind you there is a possibility these issues may not be present on other examples but were present on the model Dan used for review. I'm by no means a die-hard rivet counter, however, I strive for my models to be as accurate as possible. I'll let some MINOR detail inaccuracies slide, but when there's this many, coupled with a major flaw (the triangular brace plates), it ruins what could have been an absolute home-run of a model. Sorry Rapido, no dice on this one.

Good call Dan, you are like me as I would rather buy a cheaper Athearn and detail it for Conrail as you do for your favorite SP and SF!!! We can get closer to what we want for half the cash!!! Heck that WP switcher you built was sweet and cheaper, Conrails mainstay was SW1500s and SW7s and some Calfs so they are easy to model!!! Man you need to start grabbing lumber while the prices are down, because it might not last long!!!

Agree Dan for the price too many flaws

I don't know what to say. I watch your reviews because you are so thorough. I particularly like that you show some of the steps needed to remediate some of the issues. Like the oversized breaker bars. Its one of the reasons for years I've been hesitant to buy Atlas stuff. Things like windshield wipers being too big. And not that hard to fix. But it bothered me such easy fixes were ignored for so long. That said, I like to run trains. Blue or bright white headlights bother me more. I am looking for general look and feel rather than exactness. Little details like the wrong lift ring.... meh. But I still keep coming back. Always enjoy what you have to say.

Tip, we always used a thicker paint brush hair for the antenna whips on SP power. The whip on this SW1200 looks like a broom handle.

Excellent unbiased review,I bought the same model which had a missing bearing cap and function 10 brake didn't work so I returned it to the retailer for a refund.This was the first Rapido model I have tried and I was very disappointed with it especially as in the UK it's a very expensive item.

Been a long time subscriber and have always been a fan of your unbiased and detailed reviews. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Dan for a very detailed review, you saved me some money I won't be buying any Rapido locomotives that's for sure.

@Daniel, I too found the errors in this model quite disappointing. Thanks for all "adjustment" tips. I really helps. Here are some of the problems I found with the loco: 1. Both of the head and rear light stands are mounted crooked. 2. The horn is bent downward. (I fixed that luckily) 3. The number boards do not light up, as you pointed out. 4. The manual suggests that both F11 and F16 turn on/off the cab lights. This is confusing. Upon try this on one throttle (A) it corresponds to F16. When I use a 2nd throttle (different throttle id) it corresponds to F11. It would be most favorable if only one function controlled the cab lights. 5. When I turn off the gyro-light the cab lights go out. Unexpected behavior. 6. F19 is to turn off the number boards. However the number boards never come ON. NO know function to turn them on., as you pointed out. 7. A pair of sun shades are included with “guide pins”. There is, however, no holes in the side of the cab for the guide pins to fit into, as you pointed out. 8. A pair of footboards are included. However there are no holes in the front of the loco to accept the footboard guide pins , as you pointed out SP did not come with them. 9. No parts schematic is included 10. There was no antenna on mine

I always enjoy your honest reviews. I think the manufacturers need to put a little more effort into accuracy of their models for the price we are paying.

I contacted Rapido when I received mine. According to them the number boards on this model could not light up as there isn't a small enough LED available. Considering the price, I agree more stringent quality controls should be put in place before the final production run.

Surprising that Walthers did a better job in terms of prototype accuracy

Love the speed at which you review...I am busy, don't have a lot of time and you "blaze" thru the comments nice and quick ...much appreciated. I purchased this model and when I set it on the track an annoying "Forrest Gump" movie quote kept playing over and over....It is not mentioned anywhere in the literature but function keys F-21 is Forrest gump quote and F-22 is Ferris Bueler movie quote. I desperately contacted Rapido tech support for a solution and they knew nothing about the two movie quotes or how to turn them off...after hours of attempts, I stumbled upon the two Function Keys and finally got the movie quotes turned off....Rapido's tech support suggestion was perform F8 factory reset to destroy all my CV settings and that might get the quotes turned off??!!.....I would give a -10 points for that....very frustrating

Excellent model product review as always, this is an attractive looking switcher locomotive but with viewing all of the detail & performance flaws along with a price tag of $270-$300, i am not in a rush to purchase this model. This sw1200 switcher model is interesting but features many visual appearance and operation issues that need to be corrected & eliminated- Tom.

Great review Dan, either horn was definitely not a old cast P-3.

When you're spending that kind of money on a ho locomotive, you expect everything to be right.

Good review Dan. If I can get my hands on one of these I'll use your review to get it up to snuff. I love SP equipment and when John Abatacola did the review of the MP15DC I just had to have one. My one concern is the triangular pilot skirts being too small. If brought back to proper size wouldn't this restrict the allowable radius track it could handle ? You really know your stuff ! Bob M.

LOL, you used to say that the manual contained "some of Rapido's usual humor," but now it's "attempts at humor" -- ouch! Seriously, a welcome review, thanks as always for your honest insight. I hope their recently-announced Speed Lettering B36-7 is more to your liking!

I would have to agree with your indings, Rapido always seems to have a good reputation and the prices reflect their so called reputation for accuracy.

One thing we can honestly say about your reviews: you clearly are NOT in the pocket of any manufacturer! (I have yet to find another reviewer who could say the same. We know you pay for your stuff so that permits you tell the truth. The minute any kind of “freebie” or other incentive is given the review will end up distorted. So thanks!)

Rapido is notorious for using CN or CP detailing for models and then apply American Railroads to it without modifications. It looks like they used a CN or CP detailed SW1200 with Southern Pacific markings. This was evident in their Pullman dining car release which offered a Union Pacific Pullman dining car. The Union Pacific did not operate Pullman dining cars

That’s a lot of issues for a $335 retail product. I agree with just about everything you said. I did buy 3 of Rapido’s B36-7 units when released and they look pretty good, but I don’t like how they make it so difficult to take the shell off yourself if you need to make any repairs or swap decoders

Great video! I had a feeling you'd get this and review it. 😂😂😂

What kind of decoder is installed, a 21pin or N18 style? I know it has Loksound I’m asking for if the silent version is purchased.

Thanks for an honest review

I bought two of these because I love the bloody nose scheme. I am going to have them repainted for the Pittsburgh and Shawmut which has a different design so I wasn't too worried about the accuracy of the Southern version However, finding out from the comments that the reader boards don't light up is a major disappointment and should have been disclosed in bold in the original selling description. Also, as a aside Rapido Customer Service is at present non existent. Before purchasing these two I purchased two in the Great Northern scheme and sent them to someone else to repaint and he did not only a terrible job but caused damage as well. I wanted to see if I could buy new shells from Rapido but if you try calling them it goes directly to voicemail and they say that they aren't taking calls and you can't leave a voicemail. Multiple emails and online requests in the last month have gone unanswered as well. When I think of all of the people like me that need support and can't get it I get both mad and sick to my stomach.

Well done nice and Fair review 🚂🏆

Very disappointing. This could have been a terrific model, and the manufacturer should know that modelers, especially SP modelers would pay attention to accuracy, upgradability, and function. As a boy growing up in West Los Angeles, my friends and I would “hop” the Santa Monica local at night instead of taking the bus, or riding our bikes. For several years, SW-1200s would be on point, although replaced by SW-1500s later on…

What other SW1200 would you recommend? Brand? Thanks in advance.

1:08: “My model arrived with one of the missing rotating axle end cap”; 1:16: "I am sure Rapido will replace the end cap": did they?

😱 That's the lowest score i have seen since i regularly view your channel! I know that coupler was messed up in height I liked the brown rust detail. I guess RAPIDO didn't use KADEE GRAPHITE DRY GREASEM. Its a fine looking engine but you knew best of its historic or current details. I found it hilarious when you blew the horn & you said:" That doesn't sound right (correct) 🤣🤣. Someone really goofed up the details including the sunshades. I would use metal as well. I agree with your score. I enjoyed viewing this as always. 👋👋👋👋

Sounds like a Loksound 5 decoder. AFAIK F10 doesn't work out of the box on those, you have to set it up.

Hola buenas tardes excelente video abrazo grande

Hello Dan! Along with Rapido Trains why aren't there perfect manufacturers build perfect models without errors? What'll happen if Rapido Trains Inc. and the competition had made perfect trains?

Let us know if Rapido gets back to you?

I'm far from a "rivet counter" as people would say, specially because I don't have the money for it. (Don't take this the wrong way Dan, you're in no shape or form a rivet counter, just so people don't get the wrong idea). and I think you're justified on being harsh on a model like this specially because of its absurd price tag, for that much a model should come out of the box straight to the rails without any work needing to be done. Some of the errors you showed are just "gross" and have no place in a model for that price.

The smoke stacks look bent to me.

I also had issues with a Rapido engine (B36-7). I refuse to buy another.

Major takedown. I'll stick to my blue box babies😂😂😂

hola amigo como le hago para comprar una locomotora asi como esta lindura

Dan you don't sugarcoat anything. I prefer the way you do your reviews over others.

Guitar strings make good antennas.

i also see a sadly noticeable mold seem on the long hood nose

Is it my eyes or does it look like the whole front end is actually bent up a bit?

Number font is wrong

Disappointing model considering Rapido claims they want to model perfection or nothing in my email correspondence with them. Can you do a review on the new Walthers Mainline Mechanical PFE reefers? Body wobble is out of this world!

Ouch.

There are 6 axle Athearn Genesis DCC equipped locomotives at MSRP that are cheaper than this.

Man o man, that is a major disappointment. I have yet to pick mine up, but it is in stock and awaiting my next trip to my pusher. I guess Rapido is sort of like Bowser, they only model what they see out their windows, speaking about those triangular pieces at the corner steps. Then again looking at the Rapido folks I keep getting a "Trailer Park Boy's" vibe, I won't say who is who, but will leave that to the readers. I'm thinking mine will go to auction at some point and I will add Rapido to the list with Intermountain, Fox Valley and Tyco of who not to buy power from. In conclusion, I do not think you were too critical, you missed a few things that I thought obvious like the light packages looking bent as do the stacks, but that might be your camera lens too, so I will not go into this here. I have also determined that ESU can not do EMD sound effects worth a damn. That, or they use junk speakers, either way my only ESU's will be either Alco's, GE's or Baldwin's; leaving Tsunami for my 567's and 645's. I'm not going to spend this sort of money just to get a starting point for a long list of corrections.

UPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

They really screwed the pooch on a lot of the details on these. I have no use for these because of so many flaws.

Buy a Scaletrains T4.

CV8

This unit has failed a comprehensive assessment test! I will not purchase this unit anytime soon. Dan should of gave this model an "F" for fiasco! Trust me! I have another locomotive with a different brand and model that was very close of failing a model comprehensive assessment. The speaker and motor quality was below average and the ditch lights(front) were very dim. I will have to pay for the replacement of those items plus labor. These will cost me more than what I originally paid for the locomotive in the first place. When it comes to quality, they really need to take it more seriously these days. If they don't, they will drop like flies and regret their mistakes later.

Into DETAILS much.???

"Rapido's usual attempts at humor" Ouch.

and Rapido products ask for all the money...expensive

Rapido is too much detail and too high a priced. My Locos are Athearn (not Genesis) and Stewart/Kato Fs.

I think anyone who spends over $200 for this is a little wacked.

Way too much 😕

Very poor model quality for that price.

Seems that reviews of late are more about whining, crying and complaining. Here's an idea...You make a perfect model and sell it for less...your problem is solved!